About the Shang Shung Institute

The Shang Shung International Institute for Tibetan Studies has as its objective to promote all initiatives that are aimed at spreading and deepening the knowledge of Tibetan culture, in order to ensure its survival. It organizes courses, study seminars, lectures, exhibitions and publications; it is an active multi-media documentation centre on Tibetan culture; offers scholarships to young Tibetans, promoting research and exchanges between Tibet and Western countries.

The Institute was founded in Italy in1989 by Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, formerly Professor of Tibetan language and Literature at the Institute for Oriental Studies of Naples University. It was officially inaugurated in 1990 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. There are now three branches of the international institute world-wide. The Institute’s main seat is in Arcidosso, Italy (Province of Grosseto in Tuscany). Other branches are in Austria and in Massachussetts, in the United States.

The Institute is active in four main areas of interest:

Archives and multimedia
Culture and events
Traditional Tibetan medicine
Tibetan language study and research

For more information go to the main Shang Shung Institute webpage at: ShangShungInstitute.org

In ancient times Tibetan physicians were given the title Lhaje, the ‘King of the King’, because of their invaluable contribution to the well-being of the country. The tradition of Tibetan Medicine integrates the highest aspects of the cultures science and spirituality into a magnificent system of health and healing. The Shang Shung Institute offers courses in Tibetan Medicine world-wide. Our center in the USA, located in Conway, Massachusetts, is pleased to present our four-year Traditional Tibetan Medicine School. It is the first Tibetan Medical training in English world-wide matching the curriculum of traditional schools of Tibetan Medicine in Tibet and India. The program encompasses the four primary Tibetan Medical Tantras, as well as Tibetan language, astrology, Kunye massage therapy, ethics and history of traditional Tibetan Medical practice. We are honored to host eminent Tibetan physicians to instruct this unique curriculum of traditional Tibetan medical science here in the West.  In addition to the core curriculum, regularly scheduled guest instructors offer supplementary intensives in traditional herbology, astrology, external therapies, advanced medical theory, and related topics. At the Shang Shung Institute Tibetan Medicine School, students immerse in serious study of these ancient healing sciences.  They enjoy the rare privilege of intimate class sessions under the guidance of laudable Tibetan physicians of renowned medical lineage. We warmly invite interested students to apply online at shangshung.org for our upcoming new class beginning in September of 2008. Feel free to contact us to visit the school in advance.

Onsite in Conway, MA you will also find an extensive library of educational resources in Tibetan Culture (open to study by individuals from every continent) as well as a thangka series associated with the Dzogchen lineages created by Master painter Glen Eddy with the support of SSI.

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, the founder of the Shang Shung Institute:

“The Shang-Shung Institute exists for the preservation of Tibetan culture and to translate Tibetan books into western languages. Through the Shang-Shung Institute we are trying to do something to maintain the survival of Tibetan culture and understanding.

Shang Shung, the name of the Institute, reflects the source of Tibetan culture and history - it was known as a great empire throughout the Orient and the study of Shang Shung is extremely important if we are to understand the great antiquity, the unique nature and the universal importance of Tibetan culture, past and present.”

The Tibetan culture is a magnificent culture which started more than 4000 years ago in Shang Shung, the first kingdom of Tibet. Its deep knowledge and understanding has been kept alive through all the centuries. Knowledge in Tibetan culture is traditionally classified into five major fields: art, craft, linguistics and poetry, medicine and - most important - the so called "inner knowledge" which refers to the understanding of the relative and ultimate condition of the individual within his or her universe. It also includes a myriad of hidden and highly specialized esoteric instructions that can be considered as the real treasure of our planet. This treasure has been transmitted from generation to generation through all the centuries and is therefore still alive today. But for various reasons there really exists the great danger that this unique treasure is getting lost in our days.

For that reason the aim of the Shang-Shung Institute is to deepen the knowledge and the understanding of the Tibetan cultural traditions in its religious, historical, philosophical, artistic, medical, and social aspects in order to contribute to the survival and preservation of this culture. Its purpose is to encourage cooperation among interested groups and individuals, thus keeping alive the essential values of these traditions.

Since the beginning of the Institute several seminars, courses, conferences and exhibitions on the various aspects of the Tibetan culture - such as history, art, medicine, astrology, language, philosophy and religion - were held in collaboration with Tibetan and European scientists mainly in Italy and America.”

In order to gain a better understanding of our work and the possible ways to collaborate with the Institute please study the text FOUNDATIONS OF THE SHANG SHUNG INSTITUTE. For this document and more information on the international institute, please visit ShangShungInstitute.org.

The Shang Shung Institute in America is a non-profit and tax exempt 501 (c) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. The Institute receives funding from private donations, corporate matching grants, and grants.